The Lord Lieutenant of County down

a service was held in donaghadee on the 28th January to commemorate the sinking of the Princess victoria on sunday 31st january1953 with the loss of 134 lives

The Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company Ltd held a service of commemoration on Sunday 28th January 2018 in Donaghadee Parish Church to remember the 134 lives lost when the car ferry, The Princess Victoria sank between Stranraer & Belfast in appalling sea conditions & winds up to force 11. The Donaghadee lifeboat, Sir Thomas Kelly played a vital part in the rescue operation & together with other vessels the lives of 44 people were saved. The Donaghadee lifeboat rescued 33 people.

The Sir Samuel Kelly is displayed on the pier @ Donaghadee & there are plans to build a permanent museum to house this famous vessel & commemorate the actions that were taken on that fateful day of 31st January 1953. The RNLI bravery award & BEM were awarded to the coxswain, Hugh Nelson.